How To Get Around Bordeaux Using Public Transit

The small city of Bordeaux in southwest France is a wine lover’s dream. It’s also compact enough to get around via the city’s extremely efficient public transit system. In order to drink Bordeaux wines to your heart’s content and not have to worry about getting behind the wheel, here are the best ways to take advantage of Bordeaux’s transit system.

Airport Bus

If you’re arriving via Bordeaux Airport, the Liane 1 bus will take you directly to the city center with numerous stops along the way. If you prefer a direct route, there is a 30-minute direct airport shuttle (Bus C8) that travels from the airport to Bordeaux’s Gare de Saint-Jean train station.

Tram and Bus

The Transports Bordeaux Métropole includes three tram lines (A, B and C). Tram A runs west to east and east to west; Tram B runs between the southwest and the northeast of the city (including La Cité du Vin wine museum); and Tram C runs between the south and the north. Tickets for the tram can be purchased from machines at the tram stops and costs start at €1.70 for one journey. You can purchase one, two (€3.10) or 10 (€13.20) journeys. You can also buy a seven-day travel pass for €13.70, which gives you unlimited access to both transit and parking.

Bordeaux is home to 80 city bus lines, keeping the residents and visitors extremely well-connected. Your tram card is also valid for the bus, but be sure to validate once onboard. Both the bus and the tram have nighttime hours if taking a taxi or Uber isn’t in your budget.